Sherilyn Wheeler Hale, age 65, of Tempe, Arizona passed away peacefully in her sleep early on Wednesday morning, September 30, 2020 after a 17-month battle with brain cancer.
Sheri was born in Mesa, AZ on August 28, 1955 to Richard and Betty Joan (Holt) Wheeler. She was a graduate of Arizona State University, where she studied education. Sheri married her sweetheart, Michael Reber Hale, in the Mesa, Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on December 30, 1976. Together they built a loving and supportive family of 7 children, and 39 grandchildren.
Sheri was preceded in death by her mother, Joan, her precious daughter, Season Joy Barnett (Ian), and her sweetheart, Mike.
She is survived by her father, Richard Wheeler (Fay); six of her children, Aaron Hale (Becky), Summer Schlink (Nathan), Autumn Crawford (Jason), Spring Theobald (Cory), Winter Freebairn (Kyle), and Rainy Christensen (Brandon); her son-in-law, Ian Barnett (Erin); her 39 grandkids; and her siblings, Pam Garner (Dale), Rick Wheeler (Debbie), Dale Wheeler (Tracy), Larry Wheeler, Laura Gregory (Bill), Meilyn Bushman (Rob), Kari Eagar, Becky Cox (Bill), Mike Eagar (Cindy), Bryan Wheeler (Christina), Josh Eagar (Kristie), Tami McCoy (Devin), Julie Spahr, and Kristen Reber (Ty).
Sheri spent her life in the service of her family, friends, and neighbors. She was a devoted mother who sacrificed her time and talents throughout her life to bring up her children in light and love. She served her adult children and grandchildren just as faithfully and played an active role in each of their lives. Her family was her greatest accomplishment, and her greatest source of joy. She faithfully served a mission to the Dominican Republic (2018-2019) and in many ward and stake callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sheri loved everyone she served and was a friend to countless many. Her cheerfulness and positivity were inspiring to all those around her. Above all, she loved God and wanted to please Him. She attended the temple diligently and worked daily to be worthy of the Holy Ghost’s guidance. The love of Christ shone abundantly through her words and actions.
Sheri leaves behind a legacy of love, hard work, and devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her light and influence was far-reaching and she will be missed by many. Thank you, mom, for all the goodness you brought into our lives. We take comfort in knowing that you and dad are together and that we will all be together again.
Sheri’s visitation is being held Friday evening, October 9, 2020 at the Lakeshore LDS Chapel (6001 S. Lakeshore Dr. Tempe, AZ) from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Saturday morning, October 10, 2020 at 11:00am. Flowers can be sent to Bunker’s Garden Chapel (33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201).
We love Sheri Hale!
What a beautiful tribute to a truly amazing and inspiring woman! I love Sheri dearly. What an example. The last time I talked to her she kept telling me that I don’t have to do life alone! I can have the Holy Ghost with me! I love you cousins! What an amazing family Sheri raised and taught! I am grateful to call you family!
Sheri will always be part of our hearts. May we someday all sit down in Heaven together.
Sheri was a true friend and so much fun to visit with. She was observant, sensitive, and sweet. Her strong testimony was shared often. We are grateful to know she can be busy on the Lord’s errand again, with Mike and Season beside her! Sending our family’s love to you all!
Sheri’s positive and happy attitude was filled with faith. She was an example to us all. We are forever blessed to have know her. We know that together with Mike and Season, she continues to inspire and teach others in the Spirit World.
Sheri was a wonderful friend. Positive living and warm. I had the pleasure of raising our kids in the same neighborhood. What a great mom. Love her
What a beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman. May you continue to feel her presence in your lives.
Oh how we will miss Sheri but I know we are all striving to be better people because of her. She has left an indelible impact on all of us who knew her. Her children are all incredible as she was and what better legacy could you leave behind than that? Our prayers and thoughts are with the entire Hale family at this time. We love you all!
Condolences to the HALE Family… a huge Thank you to Sister Sheri for being such a strong example of living a Christlike Life. She and Brother Hale provided me so much guidance with encouragement when I loss my only child Tiffanie. I will miss her Smile and Hugs at church events.
How we will miss Sheri Hale she was an amazing mother, devoted wife and an amazing member of the church. A wonderful example to emulate and I know she is having a wonderful reunion in heaven. Lorna her sister-in-law
Sheri was incredible and showing love to people as individuals. I am so grateful for the love she showed to me and for her wonderful example.
I did not know Sheri and Mike too long, but they left a deep impression. Their genuine kindness and care were hard to process for me as a person whose testimony was making its first steps at the time. They are the kind of family you never forget. They are among those people who don’t even know how deep an impact they made even though we had only spoken few times. Last time I saw Sheri, I wanted to tell her how important her example was for me and for my testimony, but I did not stop to say any of that because I just found out about her cancer and was afraid that I would start crying right there in the chapel. Sheri just gave her last talk in our ward and it was amazing. I still remember her words of advice about praying often and how stopping and praying every time changed her daughter’s life and family dynamics. I will always remember Bishop Hale and Sister Hale. I am sure they are happy now because they are together again. I hope to see then when I cross the veil.
With gratitude.
There isn’t much I can add to the tributes that have been given. I cannot dispute that Sheri is one of the finest women I have ever known and I am honored to count her as part of my eternal family. My sincere condolences go out to her children and grandchildren who I know will feel her loss daily. But they know, as I do, that we will all sit in Heaven together again. Sheri (and Michael), I love you!
I’ve known Sheri since junior high and she has always been a vivacious, hard working inspiration who made you know you were having fun at the same time. Roger and I have enjoyed so many wonderful times together, and we have missed Mike ever since he passed and will continue missing them both. Such beautiful examples of gospel living and true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. We will always love them.
This was a wonderful tribute to Sheri. My deepest condolences to the Hale family. They raised a remarkable family and I was blessed to see the children grow up. I taught Season in Primary when she was six and she was a remarkable child. Mike, Sheri and Season left us too early but have so much joy in that they are all together again. Sheri has taught me much and I will miss. Mike and Sheri were so Christ like and were the best example of how to raise a family. I love all of you!
Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Love from your Idaho cousins.